Apparatus for verifying statistical data



Sept. 1, 1942.

A. H. DICKINSON APPARATUS FOR VERIFYING STATISTICAL DATA Fil d u y 5'.1959. 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 9.

zuoll FIG. -9.

canlrncrs 74 mm #5 INVENTOR MAM ATTORNEY P 1942' A. H. IADICKIN'SON2,294,720

APPARATUS FOR VERIFYING STATISTICAL DATA Fild July 25, 1939 5 heet 2TIIZ'ILi:

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APPARATUS FOR VERIFYING STATISTICAL DATA Filed July 25, 1939 5Sheets-Sheet 3 illll 1 ll-llll ll IIII| mu gq llllllllllllllllllllll a65 (D v AfToRNEY Sept. 1, 1942.

A. H. DICKINSON APPARATUS FOR VERIFYING STATISTICAL DATA Filed July 25,1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY Sept. 1, 1942. A. H. DICKINSON 2,294,720

APPARATUS FOR VERIFYING STATISTICAL DATA Filed July 25, 1939 5Sheets-Sheet 5,

NVENTOR I ATTORNEY r llllllllllllllllllll L 9% vt\m i V Patented Sept.1, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Arthur H. Dickinson, Scarsdale, N.Y., assignor to International Business Machines Corporation, New York,N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 25, 1939, Serial No.286,446

8 Claims.

This invention pertains broadly to statistical systems and morespecifically relates to apparatus for verifying statistical datarecorded upon records in the form of index marks which are adapted foruse in statistical machines, the said index marks controlling thestatistical operations of the machine.

Heretofore, it has been customary to employ differently positioned indexmarks in different columns on the record elements or mediums forcontrolling the operations of statistical systems and having all theindex marks in the different columns formed in precisely the samemanner. For example in the Hollerith system differentially positionedperforations are employed to represent the data, the size of which areall the same in the different columns on the record cards. In othersuggested systems employing graphical characters on the record mediumsin combination with different forms of analyzing devices theconfigurations of the index marks vary but solely for the purpose ofidentifying the value of the data representing marks.

In none of the systems suggested have index marks of different patternsor variations been used for determining the value of the representingmark by virtue of its differential position and in addition thereto byvirtue of its configuration or pattern denote its columnar value orrelationship with respect to the record medium.

It is important to note that provision is made whereby the data sensingmeans is controlled directly by the index marks for creating thedifferentially timed electrical impulses. Light sensitive devices areprovided for sensing the index marks on the records, which devices varythe electrical pulses or currents in the associated circuits in responseto and in accordance with varying amounts of light to which the lightsensitive devices are subjected. Novel records are provided forcontrolling the light sensitive devices not only at differential timesin the sensing cycle when the index marks thereon are sensed, but alsofor controlling the different light varia tions to which the saiddevices are subjected at the particular timed intervals the index marksare sensed in the cycle. The index marks of the novel records aredifferentially positioned thereon in different columns to represent thedifferent values of the data represented thereby. The configurations orpatterns of the index marks in each column are alike, but the patternsof the index marks in the different columns differ with respect to eachother. These index marks comprise light controlling representationswhich are formed in different patterns having a plurality of lightcontrolling portions arbitrarily disposed in the index mark areas forcontrolling the frequencies of light variations directed to theassociated light sensitive devices, or stated in other words, the lightcontrolling portions'are arranged in the index mark areas forcontrolling the changes in the amounts of light to which the associatedlight sensitive devices are subjected. It is now understood that uponsensing these index marks having different light controlling propertiesthe light sensitive devices are controlled accordingly to generateelectrical oscillations differing in frequency depending upon thefrequencies of light interruptions caused by the index marks. Thedifferentially timed impulses or oscillations of different frequencieswhich are generated are then impressed upon the connected circuits forcontrolling the data manifesting sections. Appropriate tuned circuitsare provided with the different control elements for each order of thedata manifesting sections to direct the impulses of differentfrequencies to the proper control elements thereby controlling thestatistical operations of the machine in accordance with the sensedindex marks. The novel records described herein are claimed in thecopending application Serial No. 286,444, filed July 25, 1939', andissued February 10, 1942, as U. S. Patent Number 2,272,366; and anothertype of statistical machine controlled by the mentioned records, andanalyzing means is described and claimed in U. S. Patent No. 2,231,494,issued February 11, 1941.

The subject matter of the instant application relates solely to meansfor verifying the records produced and which are provided with thedifferentially positioned index marks, which marks are recorded indifferent frequency representations. Means are provided whereby theverifying data or comparing data is suitably stored for controlling theverifying operations. Such means in the instant disclosure comprisemanually operable keys which upon depression are latched in a depressedposition for maintaining the selection of the desired control circuits.The initiation of differentially timed impulses for comparision purposesis controlled by the selected keys so that the differentially timedimpulses initiated by the index marks can be compared and checked. Bothgroups of timed impulses are impressed upon electronic discharge meansfor controlling the conductivity thereof. As long as the both groups ofimpulses are initiated simultaneously at the proper times thenon-correspondence control circuits remain deenergized, therebysignifying that the compared data is in agreement,

Accordingly, an object of the present invention resides in the provisionof means for comparing preselected data with the data sensed on recordcards having index marks formed in varying patterns and indicatingwhether or not the compared data is in agreement.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision ofmeans for determining the relationship between preselected data and datasensed on record cards when the said data on the records are representedby differentially disposed index marks having varying wave shapes.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of means fordetermining the relationship between preselected data and data sensed onrecords having photographically formed data representations which arerecorded in differential positions and in different frequency values.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the followingdescription and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings,which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention andthe best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig.1 ,is a fragmentary view of a portion of the control record.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the record analyzing means.

Fig. 3 is a detail view taken along the lines 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a part sectional and part elevational view of the machineshowing the keyboard section in elevation and the card feeding means insection.

Fig. 5 is an end view of the gear box of the machine.

Fig. 6 is a side view of the gearing shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a sectional view of the keyboard section.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the keyboard section showing the key andmotor bar release mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a timing chart of certain elements of the machine.

Fig. 10 shows a wiring diagram of the bircuit connections of themachine.

Control records Referring now to Fig. 1 one of the preferred types oflight controlling records adapted for use in the verifying machine willbe described. The reference numeral I0 designates a record card similarto the type now used in the present Hollerith statistical system whichis shown divided into different columns as indicated at a, b, 0, etc.Each column is divided into twelve index point or mark positions, sothat the positioning of the index marks at these different positions inthe different columns denotes the different values of the datarepresented by the index marks. The differently positioned index marksare shown in the said figure and indicated by the reference numeral II.It is to be noted that the configurations of the index marks in thedifferent columns which in Fig. 1 comprise graphical wave forms orpatterns are different with respect to each other. It is to beunderstood that the configurations of the index marks appearing in eachcolumn, but at different positions therein, are alike. It is seen thatthe light and dark portions of the index mark areas are arbitrarilyarranged so as to produce differently shaped wave forms or patterns. Thepurpose of the described arrangement is for controlling the changes inthe amount of light directed to 00- operating light sensing deviceswhenever the index marks are scanned or sensed by the rays of light. Theoperations of analyzing or sensing the index marks will be describedpresently. The record card In is opaque, therefore, reflected light isdirected to the light sensitive devices whenever the card and indexmarks thereon are exposed to the light rays. It is well known thatvarying amounts of light are reflected by light and dark areas oncontrol records which are scanned by light rays, the frequency of thelight variations depending upon the arrangement of the light controllingportions or areas. It is seen that the configurations of the graphicalpatterns at the different index mark positions in the columns differwith respect to each other, and for illustrative purposes, assume thatthe configurations are so shaped so that the index mark H in the columndesignated a is effective to cause fl variations in the light reflectedthereby, or stated in other words represents a frequency of fl, theindex mark in column b represents frequency f2, the index mark in column0 represents frequency f3, etc. It will be understood as the descriptionprogresses that the different frequencies represented by the differentindex marks will be effective for determining the columnar segregationor diiferentiation of the date represented by the index marks. Thevarying patterns of the index marks may be printed in black ink onrecord cards affording a white background for the marks, or if desired,the light controlling records may be made photographically in accordancewith well known photographic methods. The record cards can be providedwith a light sensitive surface so that individual light controllingpatterns or graphs can be formed thereon photographically.

Analyzing the light controlling records Referring now to Figs. 2, 3 and4 the means for analyzing or sensing the light controlling index marksdisposed on the records will be described.

A lens system is provided comprising two cylindrical lenses [6 and H tocause a narrow beam or line of light to be projected across the lengthof the record card I 0 from the tubular light source I 8. For eachcolumn on the record card a lens system I9 and 20 is provided to focusthe light reflected from the card upon an individual light; sensitivedevice 2|, such as a photocell. Interposed between the individual lensesI9 and 20 a slotted disk 22 is provided to limit the amount of lightreflected and projected from the card to the photocell so that the lightfrom the corresponding column of the card is the only light thecorresponding and associated photocell is subjected to. It is understoodnow, that, if a record card provided with differently shaped patterns atdifferent index mark positions is fed past the sensing stationdescribed, the amount of light reflected and transmitted to any onephotocell will pulsate or vary exactly in accordance with the pattern oflight and dark portions of the index mark sensed. If the photocell isconnected in a closed circuit, the varying amounts of light projectedthereon will cause a corresponding pulsating current to flow therein,the frequency of which will correspond to the frequency of thevariations in the light caused by the sensed index mark. It is obviousthat the varying amounts of light are directed to the correspondingphotocell only at the particular timed intervals the index marks are fedpast the beam of light which is projected across the recordcard. Theposition where the said beam of light is projected upon the card will bereferred to as the data sensing position. By reference to Fig. 4 it isseen that the lens system I9 and 20 and photocells 2| are disposed in astaggered arrangement, in this manner the spacing of the columns on therecord cards can be less than if the lens system and photocells were allpositioned adjacent to each other along a straight line.

In Fig. 4 the arrangement of the record sensing means is shown. Thecommon tubular light source I8 is arranged to extend transversely acrossthe machine and corresponds in length to the length of the record cardsand serves as a source of light rays for all the individual sensingmeans. An individual sensing-means is provided for each column of datawhich may be provided upon the record cards. The reference character 25designates the assembly of the lenses l6 and I! in a suitable housing orcase and reference character 26 designates the assembly of the lenses I9and 20 and disc 22 inv a similar housing. The said assemblies aresuitably supported by the member 21 which is in turn fas' tened to theside frames of the machine. The

photocells 2| are suitably supported in the mem bers 28.

Keyboard section Referring now to Figs. 4, 7- and 8 the keyboard sectionis shown to comprise aplurality-of columns or orders of individual keys.The number of keys in each order can vary as desired, however, in theinstant case an individual key is provided for each index mark or pointposition in the individual columns of the records. The purpose of thekeyboard section is to provide means for storing the desired comparingdata.

Provision is made whereby upon depression of the individual keys 50against the-action of the associated springs they are held latched inthe depressed positions by the related latch bars 52 (of which one foreach order of keys'is provided). Each keybar is provided with a V-shapedconducting portion 56 adapted to engage, upon depression of theassociated'key, the related contact 51. This connection will be referredto as contacts A on the wiring diagram.

The verifying operations of the machine are initiated by the manualoperation of a motor bar 58, the depression of which causes the contacts54 and 59 to be closed. By means of a latch lever 60 the depressed baris maintained so, due to the engagement of the step of the stem 6| ofthe bar with the said latch lever, uponcompletion of the recording cyclemeans are provided, such as solenoid 62, to be energized torestore themotor bar to its normal position. It is seen that energization of thesolenoid causes pivoted latch member 60 to be partially rotated in aclockwise direction upon displacement of the solenoid plunger by meansof the link 63 thereby releasing the latched stem 6| of the motor bar.

During the said rotation of latch member 60 and after the release of themotor bar the link 64 causes lever 65 to be partially rotated and inturn to rotate the shaft 66 in a counterclockwise direction. Rotation ofshaft 66 effects displacement of the arm 61 (secured to said shaft) andtransverse bail 68, which bail, upon being rocked,

thrusts the latch bars 52 forwardly (to the left as viewed in Fig. 7)releasing any depressed keys which have been latched down. For a moredetailed'description' of this well known type of keyboard reference maybe made to the Patent No. 2,147,626.

Record feeding means Referring now to Figs. 4 to 6 suitable recordfeeding means will be described. The mechanism for feeding theindividual records I0 from the magazine 15 is well known in thestatistical machine art and comprises a card picker I6.which is adaptedto feed the record cards singly from the bottom of the stack to thefirst pair of feed rolls I2 and thence through the guide plates 11 tothe card hopper I8 by the remaining pairs of feed rolls I3 and I4. I

The card picker is shown secured to rack I9 which is reciprocated by thegear sector which sector is secured'to shaft 8| (see Figs. l-and 6). Theoperation of the said shaft is under control of the electromagneticallycontrolled clutch device which comprises in part a single tooth ratchet82' secured to gear 83 and a pivotally mounted cooperating pawl 84 whichis shown held in a latched position by latch member 85 which member isfastened, to the armature 86 associated with magnet 81. Uponenergization of the said magnet the latch member 85 is positioned torelease the pawl 84 and arm 88 (which arm is secured to shaft 89 andcarries the said pawl 84) thereby permitting the said awl to cooperatewith the ratchet 82 and rotate the said pawl, arm and shaft 89 in unisonwith gear 83 and ratchet 82. An eccentric 90 securedto shaft 89 is theneffective to impart an oscillatory movement to the. eccentricextensionarm 9| and cooperating arm 82, the latter being fastened toshaft 8| for oscillating the shaft 8| and gear "-sector' 80 thus causingthe card picker 16 to function as described.

a The means provided for driving the gear 83 and ratchet 82 comprises aconstant speed motor 93 (see Fig. 10) for driving the belt 94 and drivepulley 95 which is secured to shaft 86. A gear "91' fastened to the saidshaft drives gears 98 and 99 through the idler gears I00 and |0|,respectively. The gears 91, 98 and 99 are secured to the upper feed rollshafts 96, I03 and I04, respectively. The drives to the lower feed rollsare by means of gears I05 which are secured to the upper feed rollshafts and gears I06, the latter being secured to the lower feed rollshafts. Now as longas the motor is energized the described gearing isoperated to rotate constantly the gear 83 which is rotatably mounted onshaft 89. Gear 83 also drives gear I01 secured to shaft I08 to rotatethe cams I09 and brushes 0 of the emitter devices (see Fig. 10). One ofthe said cams is shown in Fig. 5 and arranged for controlling theoperation of the associated contacts C.

Now it is understood that upon energization of magnet 81 the clutchmechanism is effective to couple the driving means to shaft 89 thuscausing the card picker to effect feeding of the individual cards to thefeed rolls. As the cards are advanced they pass under the sensing meansfor effecting verifying operations which will now be described.

It should be mentioned that the usual card controlled contacts I3 and I4and 5 are provided to be operated by the levers II, 12, and H6,respectively. Contacts I3 are closed as long as cards remain in therecord card magazine I5. Contacts I4 are closed by the cards fed fromthe magazine just after leaving the feed rolls I2, and contacts I I areclosed just before the cards pass under the sensing means, the purposeof which will be understood as the description progresses.

Operation of the machine Referring now to Fig. 10, the operations of themachine will be explained in conjunction with the circuit diagram.Assume that the cards are properly placed in the card magazine, thatswitches SI, S2 and S3 are closed, that the comparing data is set up onthe keyboard section and stored by the latched keys when the motor bar58 is depressed to initiate the verifying operations. A circuit is thencompleted from conductor I50 to the card feed clutch control magnet 8I,switch S3, contacts 59, contacts RIa (now closed since contacts I3 areclosed to energize relay RI), R31), R21), R50, and CI to conductor I5Ienergizing said magnet and causing the card feeding means to function toadvance a card from the stack to the first pair of feed rolls I2. As thecard is fed past the first pair of feed rolls contacts I4 are closed andrelay R2 is energized when contacts C3 are closed establishing a holdingcircuit for the relay through contacts RM and C4. Opening of contactsR2b prevents the magnet 81 from being energized when contacts CI areclosed again. As the card is fed past the second pair of feed rolls I3contacts II5 are closed to energize relay R3 establishing a holdingcircuit for this relay through contacts R3a and C4 thereby opening thecircuit by means of contacts R317 to the magnet 81,

At the beginning of the verifying cycle relay R4 is energized by thecircuit completed through contacts R30 and C5 establishing a holdingcircuit for the relay through contacts R411 and C6 which is maintainedfor the duration of the cycle. In the event the data on the sensed cardchecks with the data set up on the keyboard the contacts C2 are closedafter the verification portion of the cycle to complete a circuit to thekey and motor bar release solenoid 62 through contacts R41) and thesetting of the keyboard is cleared.

However before the last mentioned circuit can be completed the verifyingcircuits are established in the following manner. It is assumed that thephotocells 2| for sensing the index marks are connected to the properamplifiers ISI and filters I62 so that the connected filters are tunedto the frequency in which the related columns of data are supposed to berecorded. For example, assume that it is desired to sense and check therecordings in columns a, b, and c on the cards and that the data inthese columns are to be recorded in frequencies f I, f2, and f3, then itis necessary to connect the photocells manually, by means of plugconnectors indicated by the dotted lines between the connectedphotocells and amplifiers, for columns a, b, and c to the amplifiers IBIand filters I62 tuned to pass frequencies fl, f2 and f3, respectively.

Now, as the record card passes under the photocells to be sensed toinitiate the oscillations of different frequencies at differential timesanother group of differentially timed impulses are initiated inaccordance with the comparing data set up in the keyboard. It isremembered that brushes I I0 of the emitter devices are rotated by shaftI08 to engage the conducting segments I53 in succession, which rotationis in timed relationship with the advancement of the cards under thesensing means. For example, when the 9 index mark position is in aposition to be sensed the brushes IIO engage a conducting segment I53connected to the contacts A associated with the 9 key of the keyboard tocomplete a circuit at that timed interval if the 9 key is depressed. Inthis manner differentially timed impulses can be initiated in accordancewith the data stored in the keyboard section, due to the circuitsestablished at the differentially timed intervals which can be traced asfollows: from grounded battery I55 to contacts R40 (now closed)conductors I56, contacts A, conducting segments I53 and brushes IIO ofthe emitters, conductors I51 to the grounded resistors I58 which areconnected in the input circuits of the tubes I59. Additional resistorsI60 are included in the input circuits of the said tubes and areconnected in series with the first mentioned resistors. The circuitsassociated with the resistors I 58 and I60 are so adjusted that thevoltage drops created across each resistor are equal and that similarpolarities of the impulses impressed thereupon are applied at similarpoints or terminals of the resistors. The grid element of each tube I59is normally negatively biased by means of asuitable potential source,indicated by the battery included in the grid-cathode circuit, so thateach tube normally is non-conductive. Positive potential is impressedacross each re- A sistor I58, whenever the related control circuits areclosed to battery I55; to overcome the normal negative biasing potentialimpressed upon the tube control grid. Similarly, whenever, the circuitsassociated with each photocell 2| are rendered conductive, positivepotential is impressed across the related resistor I60 to overcome thesaid biasing potential, and thus render the corresponding tubeconductive. The coils of relays R6 and R1 are connected in series ineach output circuit of the tubes I59 and are so adjusted that if avoltage drop exists across either resistor I 58 or I60 but not acrossboth resistors at the same time the value of the plate current passed byeach tube is sufficient to energize the related R6 relay, but notsufficient to energize the associated relay RI. If, however, the voltagedrops across resistors I58 and IE0 occur at the same time the value ofthe plate current passed by each tube is sufficient to energize both therelated relays R6 and R1.

It is understood how that in the event the data set up in the keyboardsection and the data sensed on the card is in agreement that the timedimpulses initiated by the keyboard setting and associated emitterdevices and the timed impulses initiated by the sensing means areinitiated at the same timed intervals. It is understood that the indexmarks on the card as they pass under the sensing means not only initiateimpulses at such timed intervals, but also initiate oscillations orimpulses the frequencies of which correspond to the frequencies of therecordings sensed. These differentially timed oscillations are impressedupon the connected amplifiers I8I and filters I62. In the event thefrequencies of the oscillations generated correspond to the frequenciesthe said filters are tuned to, the oscillations are passed to theconnected rectifier units I63 and the pulsating impulses are impressedat sislgh timed intervals upon the related resistors If both resistorsI58 and I60 are energized at the same time the related relays R6 and R!are energized causing the associated contacts Rfia to be closed andcontacts R'Ia to be opened thus preventing a circuit to be completed torelay R5. Whenever the last mentioned relay is not energized a circuitcan be completed after the verifying operations upon closure of contactsC2 as follows: conductor I50, release solenoid 62, contacts R41), R51)and C2 to conductor I5I to energize the said solenoid. As describedhereinabove upon energization of the release solenoid the latched datakeys and motor bar are released to restore the keys and circuitsdescribed to normal conditions preparing the machine for anotherverifying operation as described whenever the new data is set up on thekeyboard and the motor bar is depressed.

The novel control record described herein is claimed in the copendingapplication Serial No. 286,444, filed July 25, 1939.

Now in the event the comparing data and sensed data is not in agreement,the said groups of timed impulses will not be initiated at the sametimed intervals to effect energization of both relays R6 and R! or inthe event the data in one column or more is not recorded in the properfrequency the oscillations initiated will not be passed by the filtersto permit energization of the resistors IE at the same time as theresistors I58, thus preventing energization of both the related relaysR6 and R1. For either condition a circuit will be completed fromconductor I50 to relay R5, contacts Riia, R10, and impulse distributorI65 (which is mounted on shaft I08) to conductor II to energize the saidrelay. Now, energization of this relay opens the contacts R52) and R50and closes contacts R511. A holding circuit is established through thelatter contacts and contacts 54 for the said relay thus maintaining therelay'energized until the noncheck key I66 is depressed to closecontacts I61 thereby effecting energization of the release solenoid.Opening of contacts R5?) and R50 prevent energization of the releasesolenoid 62 and the card feed clutch magnet 81 after the verifyingoperations. Whenever relay R5 is energized a suitable signal indicationis provided in the form of lamp I68 which is energized at the time thesaid relay is energized.

It can be seen that whenever the non-check key IE6 is depressed toenergize the key bar release solenoid the upper motor bar contacts 59are purposely adjusted to open before the lower motor bar contacts 54 toinsure that the said upper contacts 59 will be open before contacts R52)are closed thus preventing a possible circuit through contacts CI toenergize the clutch magnet 81.

While there has been shown and described and pointed out the fundamentalnovel features of the invention as applied to a single modification itwill be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changesin the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operationmay be made by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine of the character described comprising means for feedingindividual records having data representations formed in differentialpositions in various columns of the records, said representationscomprising index marks having different light controlling properties,means for sensing simultaneously the columns of index marks fordetermining the differential positions of the said marks in the columnscomprising light source means, and individual light responsive means foreach column of data to be sensed the latter being conditioned atdifferential times by the light rays modified by the different lightcontrolling properties of the sensed index marks, means controlled bythe conditioned light responsive means for generating at the differenttimes the index marks are sensed oscillations of different frequenciesin accordance with light controlling properties of the index marks,settable mechanism with means for setting the same for representingdifferent data patterns with which the index marks on the records shouldconform, means controlled thereby for initiating groups of timedimpulses representing the data pattern set up in the said mechanism,means for determining if the times of initiation of the saidoscillations and impulses correspond including means for determining ifthe frequencies of the oscillations initiated are in error, and meansfor indicating any disagreement between the sensed data and the data ofthe set up pattern represented by the said differentially timedoscillations of different frequencies and the said timed impulsesrespectively.

2. The invention set forth in claim 1 having means for maintaining thepattern set up in the settable mechanism during the determiningoperations and means for clearing automatically the pattern set up whenthe said compared data is in agreement.

3. The invention set forth in claim 1 having means for maintaining thepattern set up in the settable mechanism during the determiningoperations, means for clearing the pattern set up, and means forpreventing the clearing means to be efiective when the compared data isin disagreement.

4. The invention set forth in claim 1 in which the said determiningmeans comprises electron discharge means having an input and outputcircuit, means in the input circuit upon which the said oscillations andtimed impulses are impressed for controlling the conductivity of thedischarge means, and means in the output circuit for controlling theoperations of the indicating means.

5. A device of the character described comprising means for feedingindividual records having data representations formed in differentialpositions in various columns of the records, said representations in thecolumns having different configurations, means for sensingsimultaneously the columns of different representations for determiningthe differential positions of the said representations in the columnsincluding means for distinguishing between the different configurationsof the representations, settable means for setting up predetermined datarepresentations with which the sensed data should conform, means forcomparing the sensed data and predetermined data set up to determinewhether or not the data values represented by the different positions ofthe representations on'the records agree with said predetermined datarepresentations including means for determining whether or not theconfigurations of the representations on the records are in agreementwith the representations set up by the settable means, and means forindicating the relationship of the compared data.

6. A device of the character described comprising means for feedingindividual records having data representations in different columns,which representations are recordings formed in different frequencyvalues, means for sensing simultaneously the different frequencyrecordings in the columns on the records, including means fordistinguishing between the different frequency values sensed, means forselecting predetermined data to which the sensed data should conform,means controlled jointly by the latter and said sensing means forcomparing the said predetermined and sensed data to determine if thesensed data and frequency values are in error, and means for indicatingwhether or not the said compared data is in agreement.

7. A machine of the character described comprising means for feedingindividual records having data representations formed in differentialpositions in various columns of the records, said representationscomprising index marks which are recorded in different frequency values,means for sensing the index marks in the different columnar positions,means controlled thereby for initiating differentially timedoscillations of different frequencies, means for setting up verifyingdata with which the sensed data should conform, means controlled by thelatter for initiating timed impulses in accordance with the settingsthereof, a common control circuit and means for impressing the timedoscillations and impulses upon the said circuit including means forpreventing the impression of the oscillations thereon if the frequencyvalues are in error, and means controlled by the said circuit forindicating disagreement between the sensed and verifying datarepresented by the timed oscillations and impulses respectively.

8. A device of the character described comprising means for feedingindividual records having data representations formed in differentpositions in various columns, means for sensing simultaneously thedifferent data representations in the columns on the records, meanscontrolled by the last mentioned means for initiating a plurality ofdifferentially timed impulses in accordance with the sensed data,settable means for setting up a plurality of orders of verifying datawith which the orders of sensed data should conform, means controlled bythe settable means for initiating a plurality of additional timedimpulses in accordance with the settings thereof, a plurality ofelectron discharge devices having input and output circuits, one foreach order of the data to be verified, individual means included in eachinput circuit for impressing all the first and second mentioned impulsesof each order upon a related discharge device, and means controlled bythe output circuits of said devices for indicating the relationship ofthe sensed and verifying data represented by the first and secondmentioned timed impulses respectively.

ARTHUR H. DICKINSON.

